Apparatus for retaining in assembled condition a valve for use between flanges

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for retaining the two seating or retaining rings of a wafer-type valve in assembled position with the two retaining rings seated in the respective opposite ends of the valve body during handling and shipment of the valve. In one form, the apparatus comprises a clip member having an elongated medial portion with a tab formed on each opposite end thereof. One or more clip members releasably interconnect the respective peripheries of the retaining rings by means of the tabs which engage ribs formed thereon. Screw means is disclosed for securing each clip member to the valve body. A detent formed on each tab for engaging a mating depression formed in each rib is also disclosed. In another form, the apparatus comprises one or more threaded bolts each extending through a pair of lugs formed on the outer peripheries of the respective retaining rings and interconnecting the retaining rings by means of a nut threaded thereon.

United States Patent [1 1 Scaramucci APPARATUS FOR RETAINING INASSEMBLED CONDITION A VALVE FOR USE BETWEEN FLANGES [76] Inventor: DomerScaramucci, 3245 S. Hattie,

Oklahoma City, Okla. 73129 [22] Filed: May 17, 1971 [2]] Appl. No.:144,096

[52] US. Cl 251/152, 137/454.2, 137/316, 251/315 [51] Int. Cl. Fl6k5/06, F16k 51/00 [58] Field of Search 251/148, 151, 152, 251/315;l37/454.2, 454.6, 316

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,503,415 3/1970 DeAngeliset a1. 251/315 X 2,992,655 7/1961 Davis 137/4542 PrimaryExaminer-William R. Cline Attorney-Dunlap, Laney, Hessin & Dougherty[451 July 3, 1973 ABSTRACT An apparatus for retaining the two seating orretaining rings of a wafer-type valve in assembled position with the tworetaining rings seated in therespective opposite ends of the valve bodyduring handling and shipment of the valve. In one form, the apparatuscomprises a clip member having an elongated medial portion with a tabformed on each opposite end thereof. One or more clip members releasablyinterconnect the respective peripheries of the retaining rings by meansof the tabs which engage ribs formed thereon. Screw means is disclosedfor securing each clip member to the valve body. A detent formed on eachtab for engaging a mating depression formed in each rib is alsodisclosed. In another form, the apparatus comprises one or more threadedbolts each extending through a pair of lugs formed on the outerperipheries of the respective retaining rings and interconnecting theretaining rings by means of a nut threaded thereon.

13 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures APPARATUS FOR RETAINING IN ASSEMBLEDCONDITION A VALVE FOR USE BETWEEN FLANGES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to improvementsin valves, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to anapparatus for retaining a wafer-type valve in assembled condition duringhandling and shipment.

2. Description of the Prior Art It is now becoming popular for valvemanufacturers to sell valves without flange or screw connections on theopposite ends thereof. Such valves are designed for use between standardpipe flanges and are commonly referred to as wafer-type valve.Wafer-type butterfly or disc valves have been in use for a number ofyears. A recent development in the valve art is the wafer-type ballvalve.

Manufacturers of wafer-type valves have encountered problems in keepingthe valves assembled during handling and shipping, particularly when thevalve has seating rings in the opposite ends thereof which overlap theends of the valve body. During handling and shipping, the seating ringstend to fall out and, when this occurs in a ball valve, having afloating ball, the ball can fall out of the valve body. The balls aresusceptible to damage and should not be used if scarred or scored.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates a novelapparatus for retaining, in assembled position, a valve of the type foruse between a pair of tubular flanges having annular seating facesfacing one another and mating bolt holes around the seating facesreceiving connecting bolts. This type of valve includes a tubular bodypositioned concentrically between the flanges with an an nular seatingface formed on each end thereof, a valve member supported in the bodyfor turning between open and closed positions, and a retaining ringhaving an outer peripheral portion, to be positioned between each end ofthe body and the respective flange. Each retaining ring has a seatingface on the end thereof facing the respective flange of a sizeconforming to the seating face of the flange, and a seating face on theend thereof facing the body of a size conforming to the seating face ofthe respective end of the body. The apparatus for retaining theretaining rings in seating engagement with the respective ends of thebody comprises a connecting member disposed on the outer peripheries ofthe retaining rings and releasably interconnecting the respective outerperipheral portions thereof.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus forretaining a wafer-type valve in assembled position during handling andshipment, which apparatus is easily fabricated and installed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus forretaining a wafer-type valve in assembled position during handling andshipment, which apparatus is easily removed and reinstalled tofacilitate repair of thevalve.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus forretaining a wafer-type valve in assembled position, which apparatusprevents the valve from becoming disassembled during handling andshipping whereby the valve closure member might be scarred or scoredthus destroying the valve.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide anapparatus for retaining a valve for use between a pair of standardtubular flanges in assembled position, which apparatus is economical inconstruction and operation.

Other objects and-advantages of the present invention will be evidentfrom the following detailed description when read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of aball valve for use between tubular flanges, constructed in accordancewith the present invention, with a portion thereof broken away and withportions shown in section.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken substantially alongthe line 2-2 of FIG. 1, and showing the clip member attached to thevalve.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken substantially alongthe line 33 of FIG. 1, showing the clip member in engagement with oneretaining ring.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken substantially alongthe line 4-4 of FIG. 3, and showing the clip member installed on thevalve.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4,illustrating another embodiment of the clip member installed on thevalve.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4, andillustrating another embodiment of the clip member installed on thevalve.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the clip member illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 andillustrating another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially alongthe line 9-9, of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings,and to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 in particular, shown therein and generallydesignated by reference character 10 is a ball valve constructed inaccordance with the present invention and adapted for use between a pairof flanges 12. The flanges 12 may be of standard ASA type or of someother type depending on the particular application. The flanges 12 aresuitably secured to adjacent sections 14 of a flow line in which thevalve is to be used. Each of the flanges 12 is provided with a seatingface or area 16 encircling the bore 18 through the flange, as well as aplurality of circumferentially spaced bolt holes 20 around the seatingface 16 to receive the usual interconnecting bolts 22.

The valve 10 comprises a tubular body or housing 24 in which aconventional valve ball 26 is carried. A conventional valve stem 28 isconnected to the valve ball 26 and extends outwardly therefrom throughthe body 24. The connection between the ball 26 and stem 28 is a tongueand groove type, such that the ball is what is commonly known in the artas a floating ball. The body 24 is supported concentrically between theflanges 12 by means of a retaining ring 30 positioned between each endof the body 24 and the respective flange l2, and it will be observedthat each retaining ring 30 carries a seal ring 32 of any desiredcomposition in a position to sealingly engage the surface of the valveball 26.

Each end of the body 24 is provided with a seating face 34 whichmatingly engages a seating face 36 formed on the respective retainingring 30 adjacent thereto. A seating face 38 is formed on the outer endof each retaining ring 30 and matingly engages the seating face 16formed on the flange 12 adjacent thereto.

A circumferential rib 40 is formed around the outer periphery of eachretaining ring 30. One or more longitudinally matched pairs of notches42 are formed in the respective ribs 40, each notch forming a flatseating surface 44 in the respective retaining ring rib 40. One or morebosses 46 are formed on the outer periphery of the valve body 24 at itsmedial portion. Each boss 46 is longitudinally aligned with a matchedpair of notches 42. A flat seating surface 48 is formed on each boss 46with the surface 48 lying in a plane substantially coincident with orslightly radially inward (with respect to the valve body 24) of theplanes of the seating surfaces 44 of the respective pair of notches 42.

One or more elongated clip members or connecting members 50 are securedto the valve to retain the retaining rings and valve ball 26 inassembled position. Each clip member 50 is constructed of a solidresilient material, such as aluminum or steel. Each clip member 50 ispreferably formed ofa flat strip of aluminum or steel sheet, andcomprises an elongated medial portion 52 and a tab 54 formed on each endthereof at right angles to the medial portion 52. Each clip member 50 issized such that the inner surfaces 56 of the tabs 54 slidingly engagethe outer radial surfaces 58 of the ribs 40 formed on the retainingrings 30.

Each clip member is positioned when the clip member is positioned in apair of matching notches 42 and is seated on the respective seatingsurfaces 44 thereof. Each clip member 50 is retained in position bymeans of a screw 60 passed through a hole 62 formed in the medialportion 52 thereof and threaded into boss 46 adjacent thereto. When thescrew 60 is tightened, the medial portion 52 of the clip member 50 issecured to the seating surface 48 of the boss 46 thereby retaining theclip member 50 in engagement with the retaining rings 30 and the valvebody 24.

It should be noted that the spacing of the clip members 50 about theperiphery of the valve 10 is such that the clip members will notinterfere with the interconnecting bolts 22. It is readily apparent thatwhen one or moreclip members 50 are secured in position, as describedabove, the retaining rings 30 are securely retained in assembledposition engaging the respective seating faces 34 of the valve body 24,thereby retaining the valve ball 26 in proper position within the valve10 even though the valve is not assembled between flanges. Therefore,the ball 26 will be prevented from falling out of the body duringhandling and shipment and the valve will be immediately ready for useupon receipt by the user.

The clip member 50 may be easily removed from the valve 10 fordisassembly of the valve by simply removing the screw 60 from the body24 and sliding the clip member 50 out of engagement with the retainingrings 30.

The number of clip members installed on'a valve is essentially dependentupon the size and configuration of the valve with the smaller valvesgenerally requiring fewer clip members. In the usual case, two clipmembers are preferred.

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 5

FIG. 5 illustrates the application of another embodiment of the presentinvention as employed on a valve generally designated by referencecharacter 10a. The valve 10a is identical to the valve 10 describedabove except for slight modifications to the body 24a and the retainingrings 30a. The modification to the body 24a consists of the removal ofthe bosses 46. The modification to the retaining rings 30a consists ofthe addition of a depression 64 formed on the outer radial surface 58aof each retaining ring 30a adjacent each notch 42 formed therein.

Each clip member 66 comprises an elongated medial portion 68 with a tab70 formed on each end thereof at right angles thereto. The clip members66 are preferably formed of the same materials described above. Wheninstalled, each clip member is positioned in a pair of matched notches42 with the inner surfaces 72 of the tabs 70 slidingly engaging therespective outer radial surfaces 58a of the ribs 40 formed on theretaining rings 30a. When a clip member 66 is so positioned, the ends 74of the tabs 70 are crimped or bent forming detents which engage therespective depressions 64 in the retaining rings 30a adjacent thereto,thereby securing the clip member 66 to the valve 10a by means of theself-biasing action of the clip member.

To disassemble the valve 10a, the clip members 66 may be pried off thevalve by overcoming the selfbiasing action of the clip members with asuitable tool such as a screwdriver, and upon reassembly of the valve100, new or used clip members 66 may be crimped in place, as describedabove, to retain the valve in assembled position.

EMBODIMENT OF FIGS. 6 and 7 FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of thepresent invention installed on the valve 10a, as described above. Inthisembodiment, a clip member 76 (See also FIG. 7), having a medialportion 78 and a tab 80 formed on each end thereof and at right anglesthereto, is positioned in a pair of matched notches 42 and seatedagainst the flat seating surfaces 44 formed thereon. The inner surfaces82 of the tabs 80 slidingly engage the respective outer radial surfaces58a of the retaining rings 30a. The clip member 76 is held in thisposition by means of a detent 84 formed on the inner surface 82 of eachtab 80 adjacent the end 86 thereof. Each detent 84 engages thedepression 64 formed in the retaining ring 30a adjacent thereto, therebysecuring the clip member 76 to the valve by means of the self-biasingaction of the clip member.

The clip member 76 is preferably constructed of a resilient metallicmaterial such as aluminum or steel, and may conveniently be fabricatedfrom relatively thin sheets thereof. The clip member 76 may convenientlybe prefabricated by means of a simple stamping procedure.

To disassemble the valve 10a, the clip members 76 may be pried therefromby overcoming the self-biasing action of the clip members with aconvenient tool such as a screwdriver. Upon reassembly of the valve 100,the same clip members 76 which were previously removed therefrom may bereinstalled in the proper position by springing the detents 84 apartagainst the self-biasing action of the clip members and snapping theclip member 76 back into place. FIG. 7 illustrates one form of detent 84which may be formed in the clip member 76, however, various other shapesof detents may conveniently be stamped or otherwise formed in the tabs80 to engage the depressions 64 on the valve 100.

EMBODIMENT OF FIGS. 8 and 9 FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the application ofanother embodiment of the present invention as employed on a valvegenerally designated by reference character 10b. The valve 10b isidentical to the valve 10a described above except for slightmodifications to the retaining rings 30b. The retaining rings 30b differfrom the retaining rings 30a in that the retaining rings 30b have nocircumferential ribs formed thereon nor any notches or depressionsformed therein. One or more lugs 88 are formed around the outerperiphery of each retaining ring 30b. Each lug 88 extends radiallyoutwardly from the outer periphery of each retaining ring 30b and has ahole 90 formed therein in longitudinal alignment with the valve. Thelugs 88 are spaced about V the periphery of each retaining ring 30b sothat they will not interfere with the bolts 22 interconnecting theflanges 12, previously described and shown in FIG. 1.

The retaining rings 30b are positioned in the respective ends of thevalve body 24a such that the holes 90 in the lugs 88 are positioned inmatched longitudinal alignment. A threaded bolt 92 is passed through therespective holes 90 of each matched pair of lugs 88. A threaded nut 94is secured to the threaded end of each bolt 92 thereby securing the tworetaining rings 30b in the respective ends of the valve body 24a. It isreadily apparent that when the retaining rings 30!; are securelyretained in the assembled position as described above, the seating faces36 thereof engage the respective seating faces 34 of the valve body 24athereby retaining the valve ball 26 in proper position within thevalvelb even though the valve is not assembled between flanges.Therefore, the ball 26 will be prevented from falling out of the body24a during handling and shipment and the valve will be immediately readyfor use upon receipt by the user. It should also be noted that thelength of the bolts 92 is less than the longitudinal distance betweenseating faces 38 of the retaining rings 30b facing the respectivetubular flanges 12.

The bolts 92 may be easily removed from the valve 10b for disassembly ofthe valve by simply removing the threaded nuts 94 and sliding the bolts92 out of the holes 90 formed in the lugs 88.

The 'number of bolts 92 installed on a valve is essentially dependentupon the size and configuration of the valve with the smaller valvesgenerally requiring fewer bolts. In the usual case, two bolts arepreferred.

It should be noted, that this embodiment of the present invention ispreferably applied to wafer-type valves in the larger sizes as from 6inches on up.

It should be noted that although the valve described above is of theball type, the apparatus of the present invention is suitable forinstallation in other types of valves having similar exteriorconfigurations, such as butterfly, disc or gate wafer-type valves whichare designed for installation between tubular flanges, but isparticularly useful on ball valves of the floating ball ty e.

l rom the foregoing, it will be readily apparent that the presentinvention provides a novel apparatus for retaining the wafer-type valvein assembled condition,

which is easily fabricated and installed and affords protection to thevalve during handling and shipping.

Changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts orelements as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in thedrawings without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a valve for use between a pair of tubular flanges having annularseating faces facing one another and mating bolt holes disposed aroundthe seating faces receiving connecting bolts, said valve including:

a tubular body adapted to be positioned concentrically between theflanges and having an annular seating face formed on each end thereof;

a valve member supported in the body for movement between open andclosed positions; and

a retaining ring having an outer peripheral portion, to be positionedbetween each end of the body and each of the flanges, each retainingring having a seating face on the end thereof facing the respectiveflange of a size conforming to the seating face of the flange and aseating face on the end thereof facing the body of a size conforming tothe seating face of the respective end of the body; an apparatus forretaining said retaining ringin seating engagement with the respectiveends of said body, comprising:

a connecting member disposed on the outer peripheries of the retainingrings and releasably interconnecting the respective outer. peripheralportions thereof, said connecting member being positioned out ofinterference with the bolts interconnecting the tubular flanges when thevalve is installed between the tubular flanges; and

wherein said connecting member is secured in position interconnectingsaid retaining rings by a screw passing therethrough and threaded intosaid body.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one additionalconnecting member is disposed on the outer peripheries of the retainingrings and releasably interconnects the respective outer peripheralportions thereof. v

3. In a valve for use between a pair of tubular flanges having annularseating faces facing one another and mating bolt holes disposed aroundthe seating faces receiving connecting bolts, said valve including:

a tubular body adapted to be positioned concentrically between theflanges and having an annular seating face formed on each end thereof;

a valve member supported in the body for movement between open andclosed positions; and

a retaining ring having an outer peripheral portion, to be positionedbetween each end of the body and each of the flanges, each retainingring having a seating face on the end thereof facing the respectiveflange of a size conforming to the seating face of the flange and aseating face on the end thereof facing the body of a size conforming tothe seating face of the respective end of the body;

an apparatus for retaining said retaining rings in seating 65 engagementwith the respective ends of the body, comprising:

a circumferential rib formed on the outer peripheral portion of eachretaining ring;

aconnecting member disposed on the outer peripheries of the retainingrings and engaging said ribs formed thereon and releasablyinterconnecting the respective outer peripheral portions thereof, saidconnecting member being positioned out of interference with the boltsinterconnecting the tubular flanges when the valve is installed'betweenthe tubular flanges; a depression formed on each rib; and a detentformed on each end of said connecting member engaginga respectivedepression. 4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein saidconnecting member is self-biased into engagement with said ribs.

- 5. In a valve for use between a pair of tubular flanges having annularseating faces facing one another and mating bolt holes disposed aroundthe seating faces receiving connecting bolts, said valve including:

a'tubular body adapted to be positioned concentrically between theflanges and having an annualr seating face formed on each end thereof;

a valve member supported in the body for'movement between open andclosed positions; and a retaining ring having an outer peripheralportion, to be positioned between each end of the body and each of theflanges, eachretaining ring having a seating face on the end thereoffacing the respective flange of a size conforming to the seating face ofthe flange and a seating face on the end thereof facing the body of asize conforming to the seating faceof the respective end of the body; a7 an apparatus for retaining said retaining rings in seating engagementwith the respective end of said body, comprising: j

a plurality of connecting members disposed on the v outer peripheries ofthe retaining fings and releas ably interconnecting the respective outerperipheral portions thereof, each connecting member being positioned'outof interference with the bolts interconnecting the tubular flanges whenthe valve is installed between the tubular flanges, and-each connectingmember further including: 7 an elongated medial portion having oppositeends;

and i a tab on each end of said medial portion and extending therefromto engage the outer peripheral portions of the respective retainingrings.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein each retaining ring ischaracterized further to include a circumferential rib formed on theouter'pripheral portion thereof and each tab engages a respective rib.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein each connectingrnember issecured in position engaging said ribsby a screw passing therethroughandthreaded into the body.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said clip members areformed 'of resilient material.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 characterized further to include:v

a depression formed on each rib adjacent the respective tab; and adetent formed on each tab and seating in said recally between theflanges and having an annular seating face formed on each end thereof;

a valve member supported in the body for movement between open andclosed positions; and a retaining ring having an outer peripheralportion, to be positioned between each end of the body and each of theflanges, each retaining ring having a seating face on the end thereoffacing the respective flange of a size conforming to the seating face ofthe flange and a seating face on the end thereof facing thebody of asize conforming to the seating face of the respective end of the body;an apparatus for retaining said retainingrings in seating engagementwith the respective ends of said body, comprising:

a lug formed on the outer peripheral portion of each retaining ring andextending radially outward therefrom; a hole formed in each lug; and aconnecting member disposed on the outerperiphcries of the retainingrings and releasably interconnecting the respective outer peripheralportions thereof, said connecting member being positioned out ofinterference with the bolts interconnecting the tubular flanges when thevalve is installed betweenthe tubular flanges, said'connecting memberincludingz a threaded bolt extending through said holes; and a nutthreadedly secured to one end'of said bolt interconnecting said'lugs andsecuring said retaining rings in seating engagement with the respectiveends of said body. 1 1. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 whereinsaid retaining ringsare-characterized' further to include:'

an additional lug formedon the outer peripheral portion of eachretaining ring and extending radially outward therefrom;- a hole formedin each additional lug; and V wherein an additional connecting member isdisposed on the outer peripheries of the retaining rings, saidadditional connecting member being characterized fur- 1 ther to include:

a threaded bolt extending through said holes formed in said additionallugsrand' L a nut threadedly secured to one end of said boltinterconnecting said additional lugs and securing said retaining ringsin seating engagement with the'reretaining rings facing the respectivetubular flanges.

i I t I!

1. In a valve for use between a pair of tubular flanges having annularseating faces facing one another and mating bolt holes disposed aroundthe seating faces receiving connecting bolts, said valve including: atubular body adapted to be positioned concentrically between the flangesand having an annular seating face formed on each end thereof; a valvemember supported in the body for movement between open and closedpositions; and a retaining ring having an outer peripheral portion, tobe positioned between each end of the body and each of the flanges, eachretaining ring having a seating face on the end thereof facing therespective flange of a size conforming to the seating face of the flangeand a seating face on the end thereof facing the body of a sizeconforming to the seating face of the respective end of the body; anapparatus for retaining said retaining ring in seating engagement withthe respective ends of said body, comprising: a connecting memberdisposed on the outer peripheries of the retaining rings and releasablyinterconnecting the respective outer peripheral portions thereof, saidconnecting member being positioned out of interference with the boltsinterconnecting the tubular flanges when the valve is installed betweenthe tubular flanges; and wherein said connecting member is secured inposition intercOnnecting said retaining rings by a screw passingtherethrough and threaded into said body.
 2. The apparatus as defined inclaim 1 wherein at least one additional connecting member is disposed onthe outer peripheries of the retaining rings and releasablyinterconnects the respective outer peripheral portions thereof.
 3. In avalve for use between a pair of tubular flanges having annular seatingfaces facing one another and mating bolt holes disposed around theseating faces receiving connecting bolts, said valve including: atubular body adapted to be positioned concentrically between the flangesand having an annular seating face formed on each end thereof; a valvemember supported in the body for movement between open and closedpositions; and a retaining ring having an outer peripheral portion, tobe positioned between each end of the body and each of the flanges, eachretaining ring having a seating face on the end thereof facing therespective flange of a size conforming to the seating face of the flangeand a seating face on the end thereof facing the body of a sizeconforming to the seating face of the respective end of the body; anapparatus for retaining said retaining rings in seating engagement withthe respective ends of the body, comprising: a circumferential ribformed on the outer peripheral portion of each retaining ring; aconnecting member disposed on the outer peripheries of the retainingrings and engaging said ribs formed thereon and releasablyinterconnecting the respective outer peripheral portions thereof, saidconnecting member being positioned out of interference with the boltsinterconnecting the tubular flanges when the valve is installed betweenthe tubular flanges; a depression formed on each rib; and a detentformed on each end of said connecting member engaging a respectivedepression.
 4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein saidconnecting member is self-biased into engagement with said ribs.
 5. In avalve for use between a pair of tubular flanges having annular seatingfaces facing one another and mating bolt holes disposed around theseating faces receiving connecting bolts, said valve including: atubular body adapted to be positioned concentrically between the flangesand having an annualr seating face formed on each end thereof; a valvemember supported in the body for movement between open and closedpositions; and a retaining ring having an outer peripheral portion, tobe positioned between each end of the body and each of the flanges, eachretaining ring having a seating face on the end thereof facing therespective flange of a size conforming to the seating face of the flangeand a seating face on the end thereof facing the body of a sizeconforming to the seating face of the respective end of the body; anapparatus for retaining said retaining rings in seating engagement withthe respective end of said body, comprising: a plurality of connectingmembers disposed on the outer peripheries of the retaining rings andreleasably interconnecting the respective outer peripheral portionsthereof, each connecting member being positioned out of interferencewith the bolts interconnecting the tubular flanges when the valve isinstalled between the tubular flanges, and each connecting memberfurther including: an elongated medial portion having opposite ends; anda tab on each end of said medial portion and extending therefrom toengage the outer peripheral portions of the respective retaining rings.6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein each retaining ring ischaracterized further to include a circumferential rib formed on theouter pripheral portion thereof and each tab engages a respective rib.7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein each connecting member issecured in position engaging said ribs by a screw passing therethroughand threaded into the body.
 8. The apparatus as defined in claim 6wherein said clip members are formed of resilient material.
 9. Theapparatus as defined in claim 8 characterized further to include: adepression formed on each rib adjacent the respective tab; and a detentformed on each tab and seating in said respective depression.
 10. In avalve for use between a pair of tubular flanges having annular seatingfaces facing one another and mating bolt holes disposed around theseating faces receiving connecting bolts, said valve including: atubular body adapted to be positioned concentrically between the flangesand having an annular seating face formed on each end thereof; a valvemember supported in the body for movement between open and closedpositions; and a retaining ring having an outer peripheral portion, tobe positioned between each end of the body and each of the flanges, eachretaining ring having a seating face on the end thereof facing therespective flange of a size conforming to the seating face of the flangeand a seating face on the end thereof facing the body of a sizeconforming to the seating face of the respective end of the body; anapparatus for retaining said retaining rings in seating engagement withthe respective ends of said body, comprising: a lug formed on the outerperipheral portion of each retaining ring and extending radially outwardtherefrom; a hole formed in each lug; and a connecting member disposedon the outer peripheries of the retaining rings and releasablyinterconnecting the respective outer peripheral portions thereof, saidconnecting member being positioned out of interference with the boltsinterconnecting the tubular flanges when the valve is installed betweenthe tubular flanges, said connecting member including: a threaded boltextending through said holes; and a nut threadedly secured to one end ofsaid bolt interconnecting said lugs and securing said retaining rings inseating engagement with the respective ends of said body.
 11. Theapparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said retaining rings arecharacterized further to include: an additional lug formed on the outerperipheral portion of each retaining ring and extending radially outwardtherefrom; a hole formed in each additional lug; and wherein anadditional connecting member is disposed on the outer peripheries of theretaining rings, said additional connecting member being characterizedfurther to include: a threaded bolt extending through said holes formedin said additional lugs; and a nut threadedly secured to one end of saidbolt interconnecting said additional lugs and securing said retainingrings in seating engagement with the respective ends of said body. 12.The apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said holes are inlongitudinal alignment relative to said body.
 13. The apparatus asdefined in claim 12 wherein said bolt is sized such that the lengththereof is less than the longitudinal distance between the seating facesof said retaining rings facing the respective tubular flanges.